Page 35 of Tav
I turn my wide eyes to Rider, I’m sure he can see the plea and panic in them because he takes a backward step towards the door. “Cove only takes baths before bed, she can’t have a shower because then she won’t be able to get to sleep? I think that’s what she said.”
“Oh, little buddy, we don’t have a bathtub here. But we have a bucket I’m sure you can fit in?” Rider offers. Cove stops crying, looks at him wide eyed, before opening her mouth and roaring hard enough to scare a meep sound out of Rider. He looks atme and says something like “You’re on your own brother” before booking it out of the room.
“Fuck, I mean, oh fudge!” I mutter to myself. Come on, man! You’ve dealt with spoiled rich guys in body guarding situations that have worse tantrums than this. This little girl is just over tired and feeling sensitive.
Before I can open my mouth Tank comes in, his bulk making the space feel cramped. “Hey little one, why all the tears?” He goes to one knee and waits patiently for Cove to answer.
“I - I- I-, I always have a bath before I go to bed. I can’t sleep without my bath and bubbles,” she stutters. Good to know the word I couldn’t understand was bubbles. For a moment there I thought she said dog’s balls.
“Well, showers don’t have bubbles, but I have something that you might like. I have a special thing called a shower bomb -”
“Ah, brother, is that a good idea?” I whisper at Tank, who frowns back at me before turning to Cove.
“It’s a special fizzy thing that you put in the bottom of the shower and when the hot water hits it it fizzes up and smells nice. What do you think? Do you think it’ll do?” By the time Tank finishes explaining shower bombs, Cove is nodding her head and jumping in place. Even Elio has moved closer to his sister and is looking intrigued. “I’ll come back with a bomb for each of you.” With that, Tank stands, turns toward me and moves to leave.
Just before he reaches the door, he turns to look at me with a stink eye that could rival Jules. “Not a word to anyone about my shower bombs, prospect. Not. One. Word.”
I mime zipping my lips, locking them and throwing away the key with a smirk on my lips.
I get the kids organized and into separate showers with the bombs gifted by Tank, and I have to admit they are pretty fucking luxurious. In no time, I’m tucking Cove into one bed smelling like “Unicorn Splash”, while Elio chose the “DinoBubble Blast” scent. I make a note to order some for the kids. And maybe some for Tank for Christmas. I’m sure he’ll enjoy that little gift from Secret Santa.
“Mommy always reads to us before we go to sleep. Can you please read to us, Tav?”
“Of course I can, sweetheart. What story would you like?”
“It’s Elio’s turn to choose,”
I turn to look at Elio, his hair still in its usual style, nicely combed, even for bed. He smiles at me and holds out a book with two cute penguins on the front. I settle on the floor between the two beds, and get to reading. By the time I’m nearing the end of the story, both kids are out and Blanche is leaning against the door jamb smiling down at me.
“Hey Pixie.”
“Hey Tav,” she whispers back.
“I can’t leave yet. I want to see what happens to Roy and Silo.”
She grins at me, walking into the room. She takes the book from my hands, gazes down at me with soft eyes, before sitting her plump ass down between my legs. She takes one of my hands and pulls it across her front, my other arm coming up on the other side so I’m holding her to me.
She lifts the book, looks at what page I’m on and the chuckles softly.
“What? I think that zookeeper is going to help them out. They’ve been sitting on rocks, Blanche!” I whisper yell at her to get my point across.
She rolls her eyes and starts reading in a hushed voice. I lean my head back, close my eyes and let the feeling of having her and the kids here with me wash over me. This! This is what I’ve been wanting for a long time. Some people might think I’m soft, or a pussy, but I think there’s strength in knowing that you havefamily around you. That you have people you would die for and people who would have your back anytime, anywhere.
Blanche’s soft voice fills the room until Roy and Silo get the happy ever after I wanted to hear. Now? Now it’s my turn.
Blanche
“Tav.”
“Yeah Pixie?”
“Take me to bed, babe.”
I feel Tav’s smile from where my head is leaning against his cheek. “Of course, Pixie.”
I rise, then move to kiss my babies on their foreheads, Elio first, then Cove. Tav stands, and does the same thing, then tugs their blankets up a little more to make sure they stay warm all night. I thought I may have been in trouble back when we met, when he wheedled his way past all of my well built defenses. Then I really thought I was in trouble when he took care of my kids while I was out rescuing Lovely. It got worse when he took control when Niko was attacked and now, now I know I’m in trouble.
After giving Wire, Chewy and Remy any and all information on Niko so they can find out why the hell Royal may want him, I went to see my boy myself. Sage had already gone to the room the MC had assigned her, she was on her phone chatting to her friends when I kissed her good night. Niko was still a little vague and out of it, but Switch assured me he would monitor himthrough the night and that there would be no lasting effects on Niko’s brain, which was a huge relief for me. I wanted so much to go after Royal myself, but I know that I’ve made a deal with Marx and I am a woman of my word. For now, anyway.